Heart squeeze

If there is anything more precious than a sleeping child, I don't know what it is. Every night I put Master J to bed at a reasonable time and let him read until 8:30. Usually, when I check on him he is still reading and begs me to let him "just finish this chapter please." I almost always let him since I know he struggles with getting to sleep anyway and reading allows his mind to focus on something good rather than on any real or imagined worries. Tonight when I checked on him, he was sleeping soundly with his book still propped up on his chest. I didn't realize at first that he was sleeping and started talking to him. Then I heard him softly snore and I just stopped. I squatted down next to my beautiful and loving child snoring gently in his bed. I looked at his sweet face, his long lashes reaching far beyond where any boy's should, his fingers still clutching his book, and my heart just squeezed with the love I have for this boy. I don't think I have the words to describe how big a piece of my heart he owns. And if he figures it out before adulthood I'm probably screwed.